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Box Breathing

quietkit.com

81–90 of 135 posts

Re: Box Breathing

#81
post #80

Science is verifying a lot of the value in breathing practices. Check out this article on a specific technique as a treatment for depression. https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-releases/2016/novembe... The box breathing works because it slows the breath down and brings it to a standard rhythm. Think of it this way, every emotion has a specific type of breath. When a person is experiencing sadness, happiness, ange…

this is not a solution

Re: Box Breathing

#82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Slapping "navy" on it is a prime example of cultural appropriation. (Before someone claims that this technique is modern: there are hundreds of technique similar to this one in Yoga and Buddhism)

The more cultural appropriation, the better off we all are. I’m being serious.

Every time I read the phrase cultural appropriation I am reminded of the Kimono Try On protests in Boston and I cringe: http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-33450391

Back to the original topic: it's breathing. Nobody owns breathing. It can't be trademarked or patented. The technique can be renamed and passed on for free or for profit.

Re: Box Breathing

#83
post #16

There's growing evidence that breathing is linked to brain activity in interesting ways [1]. There's also the "4-7-8" breathing technique that is supposed to help you fall asleep faster. [2] On top of that, concentrating on breathing takes your focus away from other inner monologue and intrusive thoughts; meditation programs typically start you off on that path. [1] https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2016/12/rhyth…

Thank you for the 4-7-8, it seems worthwhile to try regularly!

Re: Box Breathing

#84
post #19

It's been known for thousands of years in yoga as "samavritti pranayama", or "square breath". The advice is to count on the finger of one hand. Inhale while stepping 1 2 3 4, Hold 1 2 3 4, Exhale 1 2 3 4 and Hold 1 2 3 4. All of this without mentally counting, just use your fingers to do the steps. It is recommended before meditation for calming the agitated mind. Another method is to count breaths in increasing cycl…

> All of this without mentally counting

Wait, some people can count on their fingers without in their head going "One, Two, Three, Four"?

I can't. Suggestions for how to gain this skill first?

Re: Box Breathing

#85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Slapping "navy" on it is a prime example of cultural appropriation. (Before someone claims that this technique is modern: there are hundreds of technique similar to this one in Yoga and Buddhism)

Here is the fun part. Everyone thinks Pranayama and Yoga are from Buddhism. But really it's from Hinduism (it is mentioned in Vedic scriptures). Buddhism adopted these techniques which invariably resulted in cultural appropriation. However, it doesn't matter what the source is as long as the technique is useful for the end user.

And even more fun, Yoga share a lot of philosophical roots with Samkhya, a school of Hinduism that doesn't exist anymore. Samkhya came about at the same time as Buddhism and is also atheist, or at least doesn't concern itself with god, much like Buddhism.

Yoga, however, brought god back into the mix, and these days, when taught in India, it's mostly done in the tradition of Advaita Vedanta school, which is the vast majority of hindus.

Advaita means "indivisible", i.e. god, the world, and everything is one thing, but the very few texts of yoga that has survived, clearly show it was a dualist philosophy separating prakrti (matter) and purusha (consciousness).

Re: Box Breathing

#86
post #2

If you're ever in a " hold your breath " contest do this right before it starts. You'll crush the competition by a wide margin (assuming they're not doing the same) and be amazed at how many minutes you can go.

Same with Jenga. Half the reason the people I've played with lose is due to the sheer tension.

Rhythmic breathing and a detachment from the outcome of the game to just focus on the damn tile is a fairly good way to wreck. That and locking your wrists/fingers.

Re: Box Breathing

#87
post #84
post #19

It's been known for thousands of years in yoga as "samavritti pranayama", or "square breath". The advice is to count on the finger of one hand. Inhale while stepping 1 2 3 4, Hold 1 2 3 4, Exhale 1 2 3 4 and Hold 1 2 3 4. All of this without mentally counting, just use your fingers to do the steps. It is recommended before meditation for calming the agitated mind. Another method is to count breaths in increasing cycl…

> All of this without mentally counting Wait, some people can count on their fingers without in their head going "One, Two, Three, Four"? I can't. Suggestions for how to gain this skill first?

That is why this visual is so great. The act of counting is a distraction.

Re: Box Breathing

#88
post #84
post #19

It's been known for thousands of years in yoga as "samavritti pranayama", or "square breath". The advice is to count on the finger of one hand. Inhale while stepping 1 2 3 4, Hold 1 2 3 4, Exhale 1 2 3 4 and Hold 1 2 3 4. All of this without mentally counting, just use your fingers to do the steps. It is recommended before meditation for calming the agitated mind. Another method is to count breaths in increasing cycl…

> All of this without mentally counting Wait, some people can count on their fingers without in their head going "One, Two, Three, Four"? I can't. Suggestions for how to gain this skill first?

[deleted]

Re: Box Breathing

#89
post #84
post #19

It's been known for thousands of years in yoga as "samavritti pranayama", or "square breath". The advice is to count on the finger of one hand. Inhale while stepping 1 2 3 4, Hold 1 2 3 4, Exhale 1 2 3 4 and Hold 1 2 3 4. All of this without mentally counting, just use your fingers to do the steps. It is recommended before meditation for calming the agitated mind. Another method is to count breaths in increasing cycl…

> All of this without mentally counting Wait, some people can count on their fingers without in their head going "One, Two, Three, Four"? I can't. Suggestions for how to gain this skill first?

Instead of 1, 2, 3, 4, in your head say "left, middle, middle, right." Repeat until natural, then change it to be "this one, this one, this one, this one." Repeat until natural, then repeat some more until you can do it by the pattern alone without verbalizing anything internally.

Or don't think of it as counting, just think of it as a drumbeat. Bah-bah-bah-BAH. Bah-bah-bah-BAH. Make sure to go slow enough that it's actually four seconds and not two (whole beats, not half-beats). But the end goal is to not have to think about it at all. It may require thousands of repetitions.

Re: Box Breathing

#90
post #84
post #19

It's been known for thousands of years in yoga as "samavritti pranayama", or "square breath". The advice is to count on the finger of one hand. Inhale while stepping 1 2 3 4, Hold 1 2 3 4, Exhale 1 2 3 4 and Hold 1 2 3 4. All of this without mentally counting, just use your fingers to do the steps. It is recommended before meditation for calming the agitated mind. Another method is to count breaths in increasing cycl…

> All of this without mentally counting Wait, some people can count on their fingers without in their head going "One, Two, Three, Four"? I can't. Suggestions for how to gain this skill first?

I start with my fingers all closed into a fist. I simply open the next finger, starting from my little finger. When I reach my thumb, I know to do the next 'thing' (whatever it is), then repeat. Rather than using your brain to store your state, you use your fingers. You can forget about what you are doing and simply know your state based on the feel of your fingers. Its basically like a simple state machine.
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